Word Origin & History

favor c.1300, from O.Fr. favor, from L. favorem (nom. favor) "good will or support," coined by Cicero from stem of favere "to show kindness to," from PIE *dhegh-/*dhogh- "burn." Meaning "thing given as a mark of favor" is from 1580s. The verb meaning "to regard with favor" is from mid-14c. Related: Favored; favoring.